Committee News

Social & Labor Affairs Committee discusses Work 4.0 with experts from the Bertelsmann Foundation and the Federal Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs

November 02, 2016

Berlin, November 2, 2016: AmCham Germany's Social and Labor Affairs Committee met with experts on the future of work. Dr. Juliane Landmann, Bertelsmann Foundation, presented a study on the transformation of the labor market. Given that digitization is already changing the labor market today, the study analyzed what frameworks may look like for workers, companies and politicians when digitization continues. As a result of the study, the Bertelsmann Foundation presents six possible scenarios for the future of work: from Germany as a successful engineering nation with unconditional basic income to a digital import country with low wages. All scenarios make one thing clear: Digitization will exert enormous pressure on employees, employers and the state.

The Federal Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs is currently working on a White Paper Arbeiten 4.0, the draft will be presented on November 29, 2016 in Berlin. Peer-Oliver Villwock, Leiter der Unterabteilung Zukunft der Arbeitswelt at the Ministry presented the progress on the issue and discussed possible chances and challenges of digitization for employers and employees.

The Committee will continue the dialogue on the topic throughout the next year and thanks Dow Deutschland for kindly hosting the meeting.